tricks of the trade: convertible collars

January 1, 2011.Reading time 7 minutes.

My latest project – the Coal-Miner’s Daughter dress – had a convertible collar, so I took the opportunity to take a few step-by-step photos and add another sewing tutorial to the files. A convertible collar can be worn either open or buttoned, hence the name, and it is commonly seen on blouses and shirtdresses. I think it […]

~tricks of the trade: attaching a shirt cuff~

October 16, 2010.Reading time 5 minutes.

Earlier this year I made this dress in a dark plum viscose georgette, and I have never shown you, because other than trying it on for size, I have never actually worn it! It really needs boots to give it an edge, and my wardrobe lacks a pair of them at the moment, so the poor thing sits there in […]

~bound buttonholes~

July 27, 2010.Reading time 8 minutes.

If you haven’t made bound buttonholes before, sit down and make a few in a row, you will soon get the hang of them. They aren’t hard – you just need to be accurate. When stitching small areas like this, even an error of 1mm is noticeable – I try to be accurate to within 0.5mm. And […]

~tricks of the trade: all-in-one facings~

July 3, 2010.Reading time 7 minutes.

While I was making my grey tweed dress, I thought I’d also make a tutorial on how to sew an all-in-one neck and armhole facing. I have noticed a few facing-phobic sewers out there in blogland – so hopefully this will help someone! I am a big fan of facings – if they are well designed and correctly sewn they give […]

~trench coat: collar draft~

June 10, 2010.Reading time 6 minutes.

Yesterday I managed to get my trenchcoat cut and fused. There are so many bits and pieces! I almost completely forgot the epaulettes and the belt – luckily there was still a piece long enough to cut it in one piece. I thought I had plenty of cloth, but there is practically none leftover. Plus there is […]